YSR seeks increased Central allocation of funds for States

Hyderabad, July 20 :-

  The Chief Minister, Dr Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, here on Monday appealed to the Centre to release funds liberally for carrying on the welfare programmes and also for the completing of the ongoing irrigation project works that have been taken up in the State.

Addressing the 13 th Finance Commission meet at the Jubilee Hall here, the Chief Minister wanted the Centre to release the funds for the timely completion of the ongoing projects and also to launch new welfare programmes. He is of the opinion that the problems ailing the society can be solved only when the Satte progresses financially.

He mentioned the Naxalite menace that has been plauging the State for several years, which the Chief Minister said was solved to a large extent after the State has been put on the progressive path. Claiming that Andhra Pradesh stood on top in expending the planning allocations in the budget, Dr Reddy said that the State has achieved tremendous progress on the farming front in the past five years.

The Chief Minister is of the opinion that the Centre contemplates setting apart funds for food security. “This will ensure food safety for all,” he said and wanted the Centre to share some burden on the expenditure being incurred by the Satte in free power supply being extended to the farming sector in the State.

He also wanted the Centre to increase the Central allocation of funds for the States. “If the State’s share in the Central taxes allocations are increased to 50 per cent, then the State can take up various other welfare measures that will go a long way in alleviating poverty,” the Chief Minister felt.

The Chief Minister asked the Finance Commission to positively consider the State’s share in the natural gas reserves of the Krishna-Godavai basin. “In fact, we should be accorded priority in this matter,” he observed. He also sought sepearte Central fund allocation for irrigation projects.

The Chairman of the 13 th Planning Commission, Mr Vijaya Kelkar, said that Andhra Pradesh is on the top of the list in mainatining fiscal discipline and has set the path for other States in implementing welfare programmes. He particularly referred to the considerable fall in natal casualties and also in increasing woman literacy rate. He promised to extend maximum possibe help to the State from the Finance Commission and also in the Central fund allocation.

Several Cabinet Ministers, senior officials and others took part in the meeting.